A thought about philosophy

Reflecting on the life and work of the great Thomist philosopher Jaques Maritain, Ralph McInerny said that "he loved the truth, but his purpose in life was not to win arguments. He wanted to be wise...He succeeded beacuse he prayed as well as he studied."

Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians(Monday, Lent 2)

St. Ignatius of Antioch: Letter to the Trallians:


Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the holy Church which is at Tralles, in Asia, beloved of God, the Father of Jesus Christ, elect, and worthy of God, possessing peace through the flesh, and blood, and passion of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, through our rising again to Him, which also I salute in its fulness, and in the apostalical character, and wish abundance of happiness.

CHAPTER I.--ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THEIR EXCELLENCE.
I know that ye possess an unblameable and sincere mind in patience, and that not only in present practice, but according to inherent nature, as Polybius your bishop has shown me, who has come to Smyrna by the will of God and Jesus Christ, and so sympathized in the joy which I, who am bound in Christ Jesus, possess, that I beheld your whole multitude in him. Having therefore received through him the testimony of your good-will, according to God, I gloried to find you, as I knew you were, the followers of God.

CHAPTER II.--BE SUBJECT TO THE BISHOP, ETC.
For, since ye are subject to the bishop as to Jesus Christ, ye appear to me to live not after the manner of men, but according to Jesus Christ, who died for us, in order, by believing in His death, ye may escape from death. It is therefore necessary that, as ye indeed do, so without the bishop ye should do nothing, but should also be subject to the presbytery, as to the apostle of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, in whom, if we live, we shall [at last] be found. It is fitting also that the deacons, as being [the ministers] of the mysteries of Jesus Christ, should in every respect be pleasing to all. For they are not ministers of meat and drink, but servants of the Church of God. They are bound, therefore, to avoid all grounds of accusation [against
them], as they would do fire.

CHAPTER III.--HONOUR THE DEACONS, ETC.
In like manner, let all reverence the deacons as an appointment of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father, and the presbyters as the sanhedrin of God, and assembly of the apostles. Apart from these, there is no Church. Concerning all this, I am persuaded that ye are of the same opinion. For I have received the manifestations of your love, and still have it with me, in your bishop, whose very appearance is highly instructive, and his meekness of itself a power; whom I imagine even the ungodly must reverence, seeing they are also pleased that I do not spare myself. But shall I, when permitted to write on this point, reach such a height of self-esteem, that though being a condemned man, I should issue commands to you as if I were an apostle?


To read the rest of St. Ignatius' Epistle to the Trallians, please visit:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-trallians-roberts.html

Lections for Monday (Lent 2)

This image is used by permission from Matthew Clark. To see additional works of his, please go to www.drawingmatthewclark.com



The Collects.

ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we,worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness. may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Morning Lessons:

Psalm 39
Genesis 27:1-29
I Corinthians 5

Evening Lessons:

Psalm 50
Jeremiah 4:23
John 10:11-21




Link for the Order for Daily Morning Prayer:
http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1928/MP.htm

Link for the Order for Daily Evening Prayer:
http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1928/EP.htm

Link for Morning and Evening Family Prayer:
http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1928/Family_Prayer.htm